Best Douglas County Public Schools

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 5,073 students in Douglas County, NV (there are 5 private schools, serving 489 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Douglas County, NV are educated in public schools (compared to the NV state average of 94%).
The top-ranked public schools in Douglas County, NV are Pinon Hills Elementary School, Zephyr Cove Elementary School and G. L. Scarselli Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Douglas County, NV public schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the Nevada public school average of 30%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 44% statewide average). Schools in Douglas County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Nevada public schools.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nevada public school average of 74% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Douglas County (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pinon Hills Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1479 Stephanie Way
Minden, NV 89423
(775) 267-3622
Gr: PK-5 | 256 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #22.
Zephyr Cove Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
226 Warrior Way
Zephyr Cove, NV 89448
(775) 588-4574
Gr: PK-5 | 153 students Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #33.
G. L. Scarselli Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
699 Long Valley Rd
Gardnerville, NV 89460
(775) 265-2222
Gr: PK-5 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #44.
Jacobsen High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
225 China Spring Rd
Gardnerville, NV 89410
(775) 265-5433
Gr: 7-12 | 24 students Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #55.
Gardnerville Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1290 Toler Avenue
Gardnerville, NV 89410
(775) 782-5117
Gr: PK-5 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #66.
Jacks Valley Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
701 Jacks Valley Road
Carson City, NV 89705
(775) 267-3267
Gr: PK-5 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Carson Valley Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1477 Hwy 395
Gardnerville, NV 89410
(775) 782-2265
Gr: 6-8 | 591 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Minden Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1170 Baler Street
Minden, NV 89423
(775) 782-5510
Gr: PK-5 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #99.
Douglas High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1670 Hwy 88
Minden, NV 89423
(775) 782-5136
Gr: 9-12 | 1,510 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1010.
George Whittell High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
240 Warrior Way
Zephyr Cove, NV 89448
(775) 588-2446
Gr: 6-12 | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1111.
Aspire Academy High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1680 Bently Parkway South
Minden, NV 89423
(775) 392-1475
Gr: 9-12 | 82 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1212.
Douglas Nevada Online
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1680 Bently Parkway
Minden, NV 89423
(775) 392-1480
Gr: 6-8 | 5 students Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
C. C. Meneley Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1446 Muir Dr
Gardnerville, NV 89460
(775) 265-3154
Gr: PK-5 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Pau Wa Lu Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
701 Long Valley Rd
Gardnerville, NV 89460
(775) 265-6100
Gr: 6-8 | 460 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: n/an/a
Alt School
Alternative School
1680 Bently Parkway South
Minden, NV 89423
(775) 392-1475
Gr: 4-12 | 4 students Minority enrollment: 75%
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Douglas County, NV

Douglas County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
225 China Springs Road
Gardnerville, NV 89410
(775) 265-5433
Gr: 7-12 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
1900 Echo Dr
Zephyr Cove, NV 89448
(775) 588-6281
Gr: 6-8 | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
1701 Lucerne St
Minden, NV 89423
(775) 783-9002
Gr: 7-12
175 West Hwy 50
Stateline, NV 89449
(775) 782-5160
175 W. Highway 50
Stateline, NV 89449
(775) 586-7220
Gr: 8-11 | 4 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Douglas County, NV?
The top-ranked public schools in Douglas County, NV include Pinon Hills Elementary School, Zephyr Cove Elementary School and G. L. Scarselli Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Douglas County?
17 public schools are located in Douglas County.
What percentage of students in Douglas County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Douglas County are educated in public schools (compared to the NV state average of 94%).
What is the racial composition of students in Douglas County?
Douglas County public schools minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Nevada public schools average of 74% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Douglas County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.